Tag: Payer Relations
Reliable Medical invests in proactive approach to payer relations
April 3, 2026Liz Beaulieu, Editor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Connecting and building trusted relationships with payers is too often a reactive exercise, when it should be proactive, says Brendan Swift, the new vice president of payer relations at Reliable Medical.
“When and if an issue comes into play, it’s extremely important that you have foundational trust and connection built with your partner,” said Swift, whose previous experience includes 10 years within the complex rehab technology (CRT) and HME industry...
Crowds grow at Medtrade as industry seeks greater clarity
March 3, 2026HME News Staff
PHOENIX – Early numbers from Medtrade underscore the strong demand in the home medical equipment (HME) industry for guidance on competitive bidding, artificial intelligence (AI), payer contracting and more.
Show Director Kayla McGarry reports that the industry’s largest trade show, which featured more than 70 education sessions on Tuesday alone, saw a 14% increase in conference attendees this year.
The Exhibit Hall, which opened Tuesday morning, showcased more than 360 exhibitors.
“We...
Q&A: Cadie McGonagill on smarter contracting
August 15, 2025HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - HME providers need to think beyond units and widgets and dig deeper into the terms of the contracts. They also need to nurture their relationships with payers, says Cadie McGonagill, who recently joined AAHomecare as senior director of payer relations.
McGonagill, who has more than two decades of leadership experience in managed care contracting, reimbursement strategy and payer engagement, most recently at Lincare, spoke with HME News about payer best practices.
HME...
AAHomecare expands payer relations team with ‘HME pro’
July 15, 2025HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Cadie McGonagill has joined AAHomecare as senior director of payer relations. McGonagill, who most recently served as vice president of managed care for Lincare, brings more than two decades of leadership experience in managed care contracting, reimbursement strategy and payer engagement to the association. “We’re excited to add another experienced HME pro to our roster and further strengthen our payer relations and state-level advocacy capabilities,” said Tom...
Melanie Ewald: ‘My vision is to develop a roadmap'
May 16, 2025Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – Melanie Ewald is looking forward to digging into payer relations and reimbursement work on an industry level in her new role at VGM & Associates.
“Being able to use my expertise to educate stakeholders but also engage and interact with HME providers directly – this kind of role was always one that was attractive to me,” said Ewald, who was recently named vice president of payer relations and reimbursement for the company. “It’s both the...
VGM adds payer relations expert
April 14, 2025HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM Government Relations has added Melanie Ewald to its team as vice president of payer relations. Ewald’s previous experience includes roles in a holistic hospital-based clinic, the Minnesota Hospital Association and the DME industry. “As a payer relations expert, Melanie has honed her skills in payer contracting, enrollment, credentialing, compliance and audits,” VGM stated. “Her ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and optimize payer...
AAHomecare to grow payer relations team
January 16, 2025HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - AAHomecare is currently searching for a new senior manager of payer relations. The person will be responsible for working in conjunction with payer relations leadership in developing an ongoing industry strategy involving commercial managed care, Medicaid managed care organizations, Medicare Advantage, and state Medicaid programs. AAHomecare is looking for someone to develop ongoing relationships with payers, industry stakeholders at state/regional associations, manufacturers, providers,...
Stakeholders discuss ‘moving the bar’ with payers
June 26, 2024Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – In a health care market where payer networks are getting narrower and more complicated, it’s important for HME providers to equip themselves with strategies to be noticed and heard, a panel of stakeholders emphasized at VGM’s Heartland Conference on June 11.
“We’ve been pretty proactive about creating a story,” said James Russell, owner and vice president of URS Medical in Waco, Texas, which is part of Pediatric Home Service. “Some...
NCART announces Lee’s departure, seeks payer relations manager
December 18, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – NCART has announced that Mickae Lee, associate director, is leaving the organization on Jan. 1, 2024.
She will remain in the industry, working in a government relations role, according to NCART.
“It has been a privilege to be part of the NCART team and I am beyond grateful for the opportunities and experiences I’ve been afforded during my time here,” Lee said. “It is a true honor to be surrounded by such an incredible group of fellow advocates...
Alexis Ward on the power of ‘real wins’
June 21, 2023Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – It’s easy to get frustrated with insufficient reimbursement and coverage, but Alexis Ward, who joined AAHomecare as a senior director of payer relations this week, always applies the “Golden Rule” – even to payers.
“Treat the payers as you would want to be treated,” she said. “If you met a new friend at work, you wouldn’t want them to just jump right into asking you to donate to the school fundraiser. You would want to spend...